Michelle graduated from the University of Colorado with a Bachelor’s Degree in Arts.  She received her JD from Lewis and Clark Law School in 2008.  After graduating from law school, Michelle clerked for Justice Gregory J. Hobbs, Jr., Colorado Supreme Court.  She has practiced in both public and private settings and in a variety of practice areas, including Assistant Attorney General for the Oregon Department of Justice, Civil Enforcement Division and Trial Division,  Associate Attorney, in the Environmental and Natural Resources Group at Davis Wright Tremaine, and as Counsel to the Firm at Lane Powell. 

Additionally, she has performed pro bono projects for, or otherwise served, a number of non-profit entities including Coalition of Oregon Land Trusts, ACLU of Oregon, Oregon Sustainable Agriculture Land Trust, Clackamas Soil and Water Conservation District and McKenzie River Trust. This position will allow Michelle to focus her work on how existing legal tools and policies can answer environmental problems, and how new policies, frameworks and partnerships can be implemented to support conservation goals.